The first shock of catastrophic flooding in parts of Germany is giving way to helplessness as the extent of the damage becomes clearer. Aid organisations, private companies, the military and emergency services continue to clear roads and set up drinking water stations where the mountains of rubbish are growing and growing.

Mountains of rotting rubbish next problem for flood-hit areas of Germany

Floods in Germany likely caused damages worth almost $6 billion to insurance industry

Residents and business owners in a town badly hit by the record flooding in Germany struggled to pick up the pieces after their livelihoods - from old books to wine - were swept away or caked in sludge. The floods - Germany's worst natural disaster in more than half a century - turned houses into rubble and cut power and communications in some regions.

Antique books and vintage wine - livelihoods ruined by the floods